By Benjamin Finnerty (S), REALTOR® (RS-83812) with Keller Williams Realty Maui · Kīhei, Maui · 808-481-9748

Quick Answer: Regular gas averaged $5.71 a gallon in Kahului on October 1, 2026, per AAA Hawaiʻi, versus $4.41 nationally. On top of fuel, Maui County charges a $20 registration fee and a weight tax of 3.5 cents per pound on passenger vehicles for fiscal year 2026-27, plus state fees, and Hawaiʻi’s annual safety inspection costs $25.75.

I’m Benjamin Finnerty, a REALTOR® in Kīhei, Maui, with Keller Williams Realty Maui. When people moving here build a budget, they usually focus on the house. The cost of owning a car on Maui deserves its own line, because almost everyone here drives and the island’s fuel and fees run higher than most mainland places. Here’s what the official numbers say, as of October 2026.

How much does gas cost on Maui right now?

Kahului’s average for regular unleaded was $5.71 a gallon as of October 1, 2026, according to AAA Hawaiʻi’s Weekend Gas Watch. That was 7 cents higher than a week earlier and $1.23 higher than a year earlier. Here’s how it compared:

Location (AAA, Oct. 1, 2026)	Regular unleaded	Change vs. a year ago
Kahului, Maui	$5.71	+$1.23
Hawaiʻi statewide	$5.62	+$1.14
Honolulu	$5.54	+$1.14
U.S. average	$4.41	+$1.25

Hawaiʻi had the second-highest state average in the country, behind California at $6.40. AAA pointed to higher crude oil prices and global market uncertainty.

As a simple illustration, a car that gets 30 miles per gallon and is driven 10,000 miles a year uses about 333 gallons. At $5.71, that’s roughly $1,900 a year in gas, compared with about $1,470 at the national average. Your own figure depends on your car, your commute and where prices go, which nobody can promise.

What are Maui County’s vehicle registration fees in 2026?

For fiscal year 2026-27 (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027), Maui County’s rates and fees schedule lists:

Maui County charge (FY 2026-27)	Amount
Motor vehicle registration, new or renewal	$20
County weight tax, passenger vehicles (and trucks up to 6,500 lbs.)	$0.035 per pound, $15 minimum
Highway beautification fee, new or duplicate certificate	$10
Highway improvement fee, electric vehicles	$100 a year
Highway improvement fee, hybrid electric vehicles	$50 a year
License plates	$6.75
Ownership transfer	$20, plus $50 if not done within 30 days

On a 3,600-pound sedan, the county weight tax alone comes to about $126 a year (3,600 x $0.035). The State of Hawaiʻi adds its own registration fee and weight tax on the same renewal, so check your renewal notice for the full amount.

How much is a Hawaiʻi safety inspection?

$25.75 for cars and trucks, and $17.75 for motorcycles and trailers, effective July 1, 2025, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation. It was the first increase since 2017. Hawaiʻi requires a current safety inspection to register a vehicle, so build it into your yearly costs.

What do electric vehicle owners pay on Maui?

EV owners skip the gas pump but pay a few other charges. On top of Maui County’s $100 annual highway improvement fee for electric vehicles, the state’s road usage charge program began July 1, 2025: EV drivers pay either a flat $50 a year or $8 per 1,000 miles driven, capped at $50, according to the Hawaiʻi Road Usage Charge program. Starting July 1, 2028, the state plans to move EV drivers to the per-mile option.

If you charge at County-operated stations, the FY 2026-27 rates are $0.28 per kWh mid-day, $0.40 on-peak and $0.38 off-peak for regular charging, and $0.49, $0.62 and $0.60 for fast charging. If you’re buying a home and plan to charge there, my post on Maui electricity rates covers residential rates.

How does where you live affect the cost of owning a car on Maui?

Location drives mileage. The average commute in Maui County is 23.0 minutes, according to the Census Bureau’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey, but your own drive could be much shorter or longer depending on where you live and work. My post on commuting on Maui compares common routes and the Maui Bus. If you’re shipping a car here, start with my guide to timing your car, pets and closing.

My Take: What I’m Telling People Moving to Maui

When I help someone compare homes in different parts of the island, I suggest they price the drive along with the house. Map your regular trips from each address you’re considering: work, the airport, groceries and the beach you’ll actually use. Then multiply by today’s gas price and your car’s real mileage.

When someone is looking at a property in a more remote area, like Hāna or East Maui, I suggest they think through the surrounding area and their willingness to live there, the commute time, the location and neighboring parcels of land, permits, and weather. Commute time and location show up directly in a car budget, and they’re easy to underestimate on a short visit.

Finally, add the fixed costs: registration, weight taxes, the safety inspection, insurance and, for an EV, the extra fees. Put them in your monthly budget next to your mortgage, HOA and electricity, and you’ll have a truer picture of what living here costs. My Maui cost of living guide pulls those pieces together.

General information, not tax or legal advice; confirm with a CPA or Hawaiʻi attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is gas on Maui in October 2026?
$5.71 a gallon for regular in Kahului as of October 1, 2026, per AAA Hawaiʻi.

What is Maui County’s vehicle weight tax?
3.5 cents per pound of net weight for passenger vehicles and trucks up to 6,500 pounds, with a $15 minimum, for FY 2026-27. State fees are separate.

How much does a safety check cost in Hawaiʻi?
$25.75 for cars and trucks since July 1, 2025.

Do electric vehicles pay extra fees on Maui?
Yes. Maui County charges $100 a year, and the state road usage charge is $50 a year flat or $8 per 1,000 miles up to $50.

How long is the average commute on Maui?
23.0 minutes in Maui County, per the 2020-2024 American Community Survey.

Ask Benjamin

If you’re comparing Maui neighborhoods and want help thinking through drive times and the full cost of living in each, I’m Benjamin Finnerty, and I’m happy to help. Call or text 808-481-9748 or email benjamin@the808team.com.

Sources: AAA Hawaiʻi Weekend Gas Watch, as reported by Maui Now and Kauaʻi Now (Oct. 2, 2026); County of Maui FY 2026-27 Appendix B, Rates and Fees; Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (2025 safety inspection fee update); Hawaiʻi Road Usage Charge program (HiRUC); U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Maui County (ACS 2020-2024).